18 Again!

"David Watson" (Charlie Schlatter) is an 18-year-old college freshman who is in the process of attempting to pledge to a fraternity. His worst antagonist is a senior in that same fraternity named "Russ" (Anthony Starke) who just so happens to have a girlfriend by the name of "Robin Morrison" (Jennifer Runyon) who David is also quite smitten with. In any case, one night while out with his grandfather, "Jack Watson" (George Burns) an auto accident creates a situation in which the soul of Jack is transplanted into David-and vice versa. So now, rather than being 81 years old, Jack is now 18. And being extremely outgoing, Jack becomes quite determined to make the most of the situation. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I thought that this was a pretty good comedy all around with both George Burns and Charlie Schlatter performing in a fine manner. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Jennifer Runyon certainly helped to improve the scenery as well. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

This is a fun comedy. It hits all the right notes for a very tired "soul-switching" genre that tended to dominate in the late-80s/early-90s. The difference is "18 Again" is the best of that genre hands-down. "Big" is a better movie, but that isn't soul-switching as much as a "child/grownup" genre. Match "18 Again" against other soul-switchers like "Dream A Little Dream", "Vice Versa", "Freaky Friday", or the horrific "Like Father, Like Son" from the same era - and you'll see a story with a heart unlike the others. In modern terms, this movie is closest to "17 Again" - although again, that isn't soul-switching as much as "child/grownup". However, I would take "18 Again" over "17 Again" simply for two reasons: Charlie Schlatter's uncanny physical mimicking - and the comedy talents of George Burns.

Charlie Schlatter is absolutely PERFECT as both David/Jack. His lovable-but-worthless "deer in the headlights" college freshman vs. that of his world-wise, confident grandfather, played by the irrepressible George Burns. The story twists with young David going through a series of let-downs that only a college freshman could experience with all the put-downs and disappointments we could expect. Enter his amazingly spontaneous and funny grandfather, Jack. Once Jack's soul enters David, we see all the confidence David needed to solve so many of his difficult situations.

The supporting cast is fine, if not a bit caricatured. However, watching Burns "inhabit" Schlatter's 18-year-old body is a joy. Schlatter should be teaching young actors/actresses on how to mimic body movements. He is simply that mesmerizing once Jack is "inside" him. It's a hoot. The part where "young" Jack tells his best friend, Charlie (Red Buttons) who he really is... It's a gem of a scene. Two legendary comedians using the body of a very capable young actor to convey joy and happiness from a bygone era... Loved it.

This is not a classic college comedy like "Animal House", "Revenge of the Nerds" or anything like that. But as a feel-good, happy little story that is well worth watching simply to watch George Burns at his best as the old gent with a wicked wit, this is a good one.

This is a heart warming film. I'm not a typical person to like 80's cinema, though i do like all manners of comedies, though this is great. I've never seen a George Burns film & i really liked it. He obviously passed his comedy talent on to Pauly Shore and it was interesting to see a film in which Pauly was an actor & not a comedien playing an actor. You know what really would have been interesting. If this was made once Pauly had his image established, there could've been a couple of great scenes with Burns trying to understand what he was saying & stuff. This film is great, & you don't have to be a fan of 80's cinema to enjoy it throughly. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. Also, some might say that this has played too much on a body switching premise of the late 80's but i think it had a nice angle on it, and i loved this film

Some people didn't like this film, but I did. It was one of the four body swap comedies that came out in the same 12 months during 1987-1988. I remember them all very well cause I was 12 and 13 then and I was always going to the movies.

"18 again" was the second best of the four. ("Vice versa" was best due to very convincing and humorous acting from Fred Savage and Judge Rhinehold when they switch. "Like father, like son" was my least favorite due to very unconvincing and stupid annoying acting from Kirk and Dudley when they switch. And "Big" was Tom Hanks as a 13 year old in a 30 year old body acting more like was 6 instead of 13 when he switched and not acting anything like he did when he was actually 13). George Burns was always a good comedian, and I liked him in the "Oh god" movies. Here he switches places with his 18 year old grandson, Charlie Shlatter. The swap comes after Burn's birthday party when he says how he's happy about how he has everything he wants, except youth. Then, Burns and Charlie, in the car together, have an accident.

When he comes to, Charlie in Burn's body, he discovers he's been swapped. He's shocked for a moment, but then he is ecstatic and excited, he has gotten his wish. He goes back to school and things for him change due to Burn's soul now being in Charlie's body. Before, Charlie was always being pushed around by the bullies in his fraternity, and he had no confidence with girls. Now, Burns in Charlie's body, he stands up to those bullies, makes a jerk of a teacher look bad in front of the whole class by outsmarting him and being a wise ass about it. He now, with confidence, improved his track abilities. And he now, with confidence, was able to attract and win the girl he couldn't get when Charlie was Charlie. I also liked the scene when Burns/Charlie throws a roaring 20s style party, but some of that is cause I'm a big fan of movies from Hollywood's golden age. It being an 80s movie though, I am a tad bit curious how a bunch of 80s kids were automatically able to jump into a 20s style party like that, right away knowing all the dance moves and styles from that era. I like how Burns/Charlie's girlfriend dresses and dances just like a flapper (same with all the girls at that party). I also liked how Burns/Charlie mentioned bathtub gin and said "let's roar like the stock market crash is just around the corner". I also liked the scenes of Burns/Charlie and his old friend Red Buttons when he was convincing him what really happened with him and his grandson switching. And I liked their suggestive version of "By the light of the silvery moon" that they had sang many years ago when they were younger.

The one thing that bothered me a bit more in this film is how the other half, Charlie in Burn's body, was basically unconscious through most of the movie, since the souls were swapped, and Burn's body was in a coma from the car crash. But I guess it did give us more time to explore the different experiences Burns was having in Charlie's body. Still a good movie.

This is the best movie of all the switched personality movies. It's so funny because its true! The funniest part was when that old guy did the dance at the party and all the girls wanted to go out with him. I hope I can do that when I'm 81! This is the best thing Charlie Schlater has done since "Fish Police". I think everyone should go out and see "18 Again!", again!